Electrical switch and interlocking casing



H. S. FREEMAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1918. I 1,412,466. Patented D 11, 1922.

v 2 bHLHS-SHEET L.

H. S. FREEMAN.

SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

ELECTRICAL APPLI CATION FILED WAY 9 I918.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

2 $HEET$SHEET 2- ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. FREEMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO SQUARE D COMiPANY,OF

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.-

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

I Application filed May 9, 1918. Serial No. 233,416.

To all who mil? may concern:

'Be it known that I, HARRY S. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Im rovements in Electrical Switches andInter ocking Casings, of which the following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, forms a complete and exact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to electrical switch of the general type havinganenclosing casing of metal or other suitable material properly insulatedfrom the electrical contacts of the switch mechanism generally known asarmor-clad switches.-

One of the objects of this invention is to rovide an enclosed switchwith interlocking cover and switch mechanism whereby access cannotnormally be had to the interior of the casing until the switch is inopen position nor can the switch be closed normally until the'cover isfirst closed. These switches perform the very desirable function ofpreventing workmen or others from coming into contact with live parts ofthe switch mechanism as, under normalconditions, the cover is alwaysclosed while the switch is closed and can only be opened after theswitch is opened. However, it will be readily seen that it would beimpossible for the test man or inspector to inspect the switch mechanismwithout first shutting off the customers power, inasmuch as the covercannot be opened normally without first opening the switch.

It is, therefore, a further object of my in vention to so'design theinterlocking mechanism that such mechanism may be temporarily renderedineliective by an authorized person suitably equipped with a key orsimilar means whereby access may be had to the interior of the casingwhile the switch is closed and also whereby the switch may he closedwhile the cover is open. It will, therefore, he seen that a suitablyequipped authorized person may inspect the switch mech anism withoutinterfering with the customers power, as he may then open the box orcasing without first opening the switch.

It is a further object of this invention to so design the interlockingmechanism that at the completion of the inspection or test suchinterlocking mechanism may be again rendered effective.

It is a further object of this invention to so design the interlockingcover and switch mechanism that the switch may be permansntly'locked inoff position, if so desire It is a further object of this invention toprovide for the operation of such switch by means of an external handleor other suitable means, whereby the workman or others may turn on oroff the current without opening such box or casing.

it is a further object of this invention to generally simplify theconstruction of enclosed or armor-clad switches whereby a very rugged orpractically foolproof structure results.

One of the many possible embodiments of the IIlVGIItlOII is shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designatesimilar parts.

Fig. l is a perspective view of an armorclad or enclosed switch showingin full lines the switch operating mechanism in open pos tion, and indotted lines the switch operating mechanism in closed position. Suchfigure further shows in dotted lines the ineffective position of thedisabler for the interlocking means.

Fig. 2 is a detailed side elevation of portion of the interlockingmechanism in the inefiective position, and with the switch on, the smallcover or shield plate removed, whereby the interior of such mech anismmay be seen.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal. sectional view through the casing with thesmall cover of the interlocking mechanism removed and showing thedetails of the interlocking mechanism Fig. l is a longitudinalfragmentary sectional view showing the details oi: ie interlockingmechanism in position. with the switch operating means in off positionthe cover partly raised.

Fig. dis a section on line 5+5 of Fig. 3 showing the cover locked closedtull lines, and the interlocking mechanism disabled, in dot and dashlines.

Fig. 6 is a View showing the switchand lockoil as related to theinterlocking mech anism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that theelectrical portion of the switch mechanism has not been shown and onlythe operating means for such al -i3 mechanism has been shown, as thisoperating mechanism is a part of the switch mechanism which cooperateswith the interlocking cover and relates directly to this inven- Zion. Itwill be seen from Fig. 1 that the casing comprises a base i, n cover 2,such cover and base being liingedi connected in uhe usual manner andadapted to be locked in closed position by means of an nperafured member3 on the body portion of the using which is oriented to pass through anopen :1 in the top and such n oerrured meniher thereafter adapted toreceive the hook loan-shaped portion of a suitable nrdloclc or othermeans.

This using. it will he nosed. has open einls as shown at 5 end hasadjacent such open ends at the interior corners thereof irons (i.interchangeshie end plates {not shown) of any suitable ,vpe are adept-Zio he slipped he een the engie iro is s Ci-OHS or me casing and areheld from upvizi sliding "iv means 1 screws or hoilzs missing through byniezins l cne hop ivnion i 's in ciosed positiom sui'lis nu eeo e endpuree i he noted that he suitable knockouts d be removed and i eneriicunir type echanism i PM? i s sho W n are oivo n one side or nni h'idle ndin l ihereivibh no nown, 'lcl mechanism may oe open en eriorofthe hon Without ening :ne cover. In order to provide for inljerioclcingrelation of the cover and tch niechsnisrn {1 iinlr or her 13 is proledwhich has ii slot i l QUiZitS ou bwsrci'enri, rich slot crioperates witha pin 15 holeed otherwise 7 upon ihe fastened arm 1;. pen the movementof the switch operating surii hair 13 given reciprocztory ereciproczinu'y her or arm ex- "n co the smziii casing or shield plane-ich encloses n portion oi the inlerc This in ceriocking meclr :inism isshown in detail in Figs. 22 to l. in lusive. he forward end: or the heror arm is provided with n recess '1? which is nlupted to cooperate inone position ith. "'OjQC EIUII or lug i75 provided upon a hitch einoeror invoied new} 191 which is uriirdly pressed by means oi a spring; 20.inis reciproczitorv arm 13 passes through guidin member or serefp :21shown in i 5, which shrsp has n projecting portion 22 extending throughan opening in the easing in the outside of lhe casing or box. Thisportion has :in opening; Jherein which niines \vilh :1 similar openingprovided in an ear 2 3 rigidly fastened upon the exterior oi? thecasing. These zilining openings are adapted to receive the hook ornail-shaped ])Ol'l011 of n padlock 2% or ohher suitable means whereby heguiding strap 21 is locked in place to herelrv definitely position therecipro-uloq lJill or arm 13 laterally Within the using and in ilslziterni rention lo the rest of the inieriocliiinc meclninism. Rig-idlysecured to the cover 2 of is a tongue or iii'lgger E25 which extendsdownvnrdly therefrom and is provided with an outwardly xtending shoulderor lip 22.

The one 'zuion ol' this interlocking :ineciuw .nism will now hedescriljied in detail. :11 normal condition. when the inieriociiinggmechanism in elieciive operation ns n, I. in full lines in F's, lhepadlock sitions the s5 up 2i through the medium oi? the nggning;opening-rs in he members and 12?; \r

nresseu snield so that the in: iroin the Well oi the czsin nvnrd plateand into eng n gunenl upon i with ihe lip Ll c win thus be seen that 5ihe cover with the i closed oosnion.

i is nnndrnwn from the lip 98. shown in i nurv lhen he raised. to closehe "tch.

rover a finger :35 presses against the uilhdrzi ihe projcciion l8 mentwith iihe recess 11' or will thus he seen liililh ili is i under normalconl'li rions to open 'th the rzisingg 'xni'thout first opening theswitch um} If is also impossllile under normal dilions to close inn thecover.

ihe switch Without ii in order lo provide For renderiruz this incerlockin c eilicct ineliechive teninornrilv. i-he strep nleiiiher isoperated froni the exterior of 'l he he by first removing; the padlockQ-l and drawing such st up neniloer ouluvzr'dl towards the outer sideoi" the raising by means oi jhe projecting member 00 rom an lZlSIXCllOnof Fig. 53. it will ihus he seen that ihe lur i3 is wry from engagementW th the lip alul hhe cover therelore. he raised while the svvnch ll'lllin on position. will also be seen om an inspection of F :3 thei when themember 52,

is mulled outwardly the projection 18 of the pawl member 19 lies on theinner side of the bar 13 and does not lie in the path of travel of theaperture 17 in such bar, and consequently, travel of such bar in eitherlongitudinal direction.

It will be seen from the above that when the interlocking mechanism isrendered ineffective by the means above described the cover and switchoperating mechanism are wholly independent and may be operatedindependently of each other in any manner desired.

It will also be seen from the above description that great flexibilityisprovided in an armor-clad or enclosed switch of this type, whereby it ispossible to have a normally interlocking cover and switch mechanismrendered temporarily independently operative by means of a key or otherdevice carried by a properly authorized person such as an inspector ortest man,

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the covercarriesan L-sha'ped member 27 whichnormally acts asa stop to limit the motion of the operating crank 9.When, however, it is desired to lock the switch open so it cannot beclosed by the consumer, the cover is opened and the crank 9 moved to itsextreme position where it is stopped by the lug or projection 28 carriedby the casing. When the cover is again closed, the crank is between themember 27 and-the-lug 28, as shown in dot and dash in Fig. 6. Theinsertion of a lock through the aperture in member 3 completes theo'eration so the switch cannot be closed. he bar 13 will be moved onaccount of the extra movement of the crank 9, and in order that the pro-The above descri tion and drawings must be interpreted in anillustrative sense and not in a limiting sense, except as hereinafterdefined by the followingclaimsh- 1. In an enclosed switchhavinga casingprovided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operatedby said switch. operating means and cover, comprising a linearlyreciprocatory laterally movable bar co-operating with the cover, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened.

2. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating does not interfere with the full.

therewith, whereby normally the cover can- "is closed. jection 18 willnot interfere, theslot I7 is I tion is specific to the. form of mventions own but such descripfor interlocking said switch opened until theswitch is opened.

3. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating meansfor interlocking said switch and cover comprising a linearlyreciprocatory laterally movable bar, and a finger fastened to the coverand normally co-operating therewith, whereby the cover cannot be openeduntil the switch is opened.

4. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided, with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating meansfor interlocking said switch and cover comprising a linearlyreciprocatory laterally movable bar, and a finger fastened to the cover,said finger having a shoulder adapted to engage said bar and cooperatingnot be opened until the switch is opened.

5. In an enclosed switch having a cas ng provided with a cover, meansfor operating ,said switch comprising an interiorly arranged invertedU-shaped member, means operated by one arm of said U-shaped member forinterlocking said switch and cover,

. and comprising a linearly reciprocatory bar,

and means operated by the cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, andmeans for rendering the interlocking meanstemporarily' ineffective,whereby the cover may be opened while the switch 6. In an enclosedswitch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating saidswitch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising meansoperated by said switch operating means, a downwardlyextending fingercontrolled by the operation of the cover, whereby normally the covercannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a removable lock forthe last mentioned means for, rendering said interlocking, meanstemporarily ineffective, Wherebythe cover may be opened while the switchis closed.

7. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a .cover, meansfor operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and covercomprising means operated by said switch operating means, a downwardlyextending finger carried by the cover, whereby normally the cover cannotbe closed until the switch is closed, means for rendering saidinterlocking means temporarily ineffective, whereby the cover may beopened while the switch is closed and a removable lock for the lastmentionedmeans. 130

8. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and covercomprising means operated by said switch operating means, a downwardlyextending fin er fastened to the cover, whereby norma ly the covercannot be opened until the switch is opened and the cover cannot becloseduntil the switch is closed and means for-rendering saidinterlocking means temporarily inefiective, whereby the cover and theswitch may be independently operated.

9. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operatingmeans and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and alatch member cooperating with said movable member and controlled by thecover carried member, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed untilthe cover is closed.

10. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operatingmeans and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and apivoted pawl cooperating with said movable member and controlled by thecover carried member, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed untilthe cover is closed.

11. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a reciprocatoiy bar operated by said switch operatingmeans and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and alatch member cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled bythe cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closeduntil the cover is closed. a

152. In an enclosed swimh, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, and means for interlocking said switchand cover comprising a reciprocatory bar provided with arecess andoperated by said switch operating means, means carried by said cover andcooperating with reciprocatory bar whereby J3 cover cannot be openeduntil opened, a pivoted p wl so with said recess and controlled means,whereby mally the switch cannot becclosed until the cover is closed.

13. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operatingmeans and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a latchmember cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the covercarried means, whereby normally-the switch cannot be closed untilclosed, and means for rendering the interlocking means temporarilymeffective whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

14. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking saidswitch andcover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operatingmeans, means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and apivoted pawl cooperating with said movable member and controlled by thecover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed untilthe cover is closed, and means for renderin the interlocking meanstemporarily ine 'ective, whereby the cover and switch may beindependently operated.

15. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operatingmeans, means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be'opened until the switch is opened, and apivoted pawl cooper ating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled bythe cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closeduntil the cover is closed, and means for rendering the interlockingmeans temporarily ineilec tive whereby the cover and switch may beindependently operated.

16. In an enclosed switch, comprising casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a reciprocatory bar having a recess and operated bysaid switch operating means, means carried by said cover and cooperatingwith said reciprocatory bar whereby normally the cover cannot be openeduntil the switc'." is opened, and a pivoted pawl cooperating with saidrecess and. controlled by the cover d means, whereby normally the switchbe closed l the cover clonal, i the interlock the cover is meanstemporarily ineffective whereby the cover and switch may beindependently operated.

17. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating meansfor interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory barand means carried by the cover cooperating therewith, whereby normallythe cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and means fortemporarily rendering the interlocking means ineffective comprising amovable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governingits lateral position relative to the cover operated means, whereby thecover may be opened while the switch is closed.

18. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means operated by saidswitch operating meansfor interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory barand a finger fastened to the cover and cooperating with saidreciprocatory bar,

whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened,and means for rendering the interlocking means temporarily ineflective,strap means surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing itslateral-position relative to said finger, whereby the cover may beopened while the switch isclosed.

19. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover'comprising a movable member operated by said switch operatingmeans and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a latchmember cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the covercarried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until thecover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means andlatch member temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap membersurrounding said movable member and governing its lateral positionrelative tothe cover operated means and said latch member, whereby thecover and switch may be independently operated.

20. In an enclosed switch, comprising a a cover, means for operatingsaid switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising amovable member operated by said switch operating means and means carriedby said cover and cooperating. therewith, whereby normally the covercannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperatingwith said movable member and controlled by the cover carried means,whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed,

comprising a movable and means for rendering the interlocking means andpivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap membersurrounding said movable member and governing its lateral positionrelative to the cover operated means and said pivoted pawl, whereby thecover and switch may be independently operated.

21. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, meansfor operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and covercomprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operating meansand means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot b opened until the switch isopened, a pivotedpawl cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled by the covercarried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until thecover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means andpivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap membersurrounding said reciprocatory bar and govern ing its lateral positionrelative to cover operated means andsaid-pawl, whereby the cover and'switch may be independently operated. V

22. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking saidswitch andcover comprising a reciprocatory, bar having a recess and operated by isaid switch operating means and means carried by said cover andcooperating with said reciprocatory bar, whereby normally the covercannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperatingwith said recess and controlled by the cover carried means, wherebynormally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, andmeans .for rendering the interlockin means and'pivoted pawl temporarilyinerfective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding saidreciprocatory bar and governing its lateral position relative to thecover operated means and said pawl, whereby the cover and switch may beindependently operated.

23; In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with acover, meansfor operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and covercomprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operating meansand means carried by saidcover and cooperating therewith, wherebynormally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, apivoted pawl cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled bythe cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closeduntil the cover is closed, means for rendering the interlocking meansand pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strapmember surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateralposition relative to said cover operated means and said awl, whereby thecover and switch'may be independently operated, and means for lockingsaid strap member in one position.

24;. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch andcover comprising a map rocatory bar having a recess and operated by saidswitch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperatingwith said reciprocatory' bar, whereby normally the cover cannot beopened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with saidrecess and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally theswitch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, means for renderingthe interlocking means and pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective,comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar andgoverning its lateral position relative to the cover operated means andsaid pawl, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated,and means for locking said strap member in one position.

25. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover,means for operating said switch, means torinterlocking said switch andcover comprising a reciprocatory bar having a recess and operated bysaid switch operating means and a finger fastened to the cover andprovided with a shoulder and cooperating with said reciprocatory bar,whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened,a pivoted pawl cooperating with said recess and controlled by saidshoulder, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the coveris closed, and means for rendering the interlocking meansoand pivotedpawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a mov able strap membersurrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its' lateral. positionrelative to" the said shoulder and said pawl, whereby the cover andswitch may be independently operated, and means for locking said strapmember in one position.

26. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switchprovided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, meansexternal of the enclosure for operating the switch, an interlock betweenthe switch and cover preventing opening of the cover while the switch isclosed, and an inside lockoff carried by the enclosure whereby theswitch may be locked open.

27. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switchprovided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, meansexternal of the enclosure for operating the switch, an interlock betweenthe switch and cover preventing closin of the cover while the switch isopen, and an inside lockoff carried by the enclosure whereby the switchmay be locked open.

28. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switchprovided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, meansexternal of the enclosure for operating the switch, an inside stop andlockofi' whereby the switch operating means has normally a limitedmovement in the open position and whereby the switch operating means maybe locked off when moved to extreme open position, and an interlockingmechanism between the switch operating means and the cover wherebyoperation of the cover and switch in pre-arranged sequence is insured,such interlocking mechanism having provision for movement of the switchoperating means to both positions.

29. In combination, a switch, a casing having sides and provided with acover hinged on one edge and removable to afford access to the switch, aU shaped switch. operating crankpivotally mounted in the sides of thecasing, one edge of the cover and one of the sides of the casingcarrying means cooperating with one side of the U-shaped crank to stopand to lock oif the crank, the other edge of the cover and side ofthe-casing carrying an interlocking device cooperating with the otherside of the U- shaped crank to insure prearranged sequence of. operationof the cover and crank respectively, and means for normally retainingthe cover closed.

30. In combination, a switch, a casing having sides and provided with acover hinged on one edge and removable to afford access to the switch, aU-shaped switch operating crank pivotally mounted in the sides of thecasing, one edge of the cover and: oneof the sides of? the casingcarryin means co operating with one side of the shaped crank to stop andto lock off the crank, the other edge of the cover and one side of thecasing carrying an inter-locking device co-operating with the other sideof the U-shaped crank to insure pie-arranged sequence of operation ofthe cover and crank respectively, and means for normally retaining thecover closed, said interlocking device being on the edge remote from thehinge.

HARRY S. FREEMAN.

